So What’s Your Excuse?

I mentioned that my husband had a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack).

In the hospital during his first known TIA in November of 2010, I learned that he has a condition called Atrial Fibrillation. That is where the atrium fibrillates, (flutters, or beats erratically and swiftly,) so it does not pump the blood out of the atrium fully. Some of the blood sits in the Atrium and clots, leading to blockages in the arteries of the brain, which can cause TIA’s or strokes.

As a wife, I knew something was progressively “not right” with my husband. The brilliant Doctor with a photographic memory had been disappearing. I didn’t know why and he didn’t know either, but thank goodness before this process started he had retired from his practice.

But, during his retirement our children noticed and started asking me. “What’s wrong with Daddy?” I didn’t know what to tell them. His personality changed. The man who had fought tooth and nail to provide for his family and was pleased to support me as a stay at home mother was different.

Thankfully, He didn’t know it and still doesn’t, in fact I don’t think he’ll ever know. He’s simply a happy soul….probably because he doesn’t remember the difference between who he was and is. But we do and I thought I’d write about this phenomenon. I’ve have a lot to learn. But this is what I have learned so far.

1. There are many different kinds of stokes.

2. FAST is a good acronym to know. It stands for:

a. F: Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

b. A: Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

c. S: Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

d. T: Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

3. Also: This is an incredibility helpful website: http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=symp

And if you are looking for information on a TIA, this is site that I have found helpful. http://heartdisease.about.com/od/lesscommonheartproblems/a/Transient-Ischemic-Attacks-Tias.htm

§ I I hope you never need these sites, but thank goodness they have are available! I’ll check in from time to time and let you know how things are going for him and me. Have a good evening and treasure today with your loved ones!